From the moment I signed up with Vivint (then called APX), there was trouble. The original salesman promised me free quipment upgrades. When I got an email advertising a special deal of an upgrade for $250 a couple years later, I called to see what was up with that. Upgrades are never free they said, and that salesman was no longer an employee of theirs. After demanding to speak to multiple levels of managers and horus on the phone, I got my free upgrade. But it was very stressful and time consuming.
Also, right after buying the system there was a local news story about their sales people promising elderly folks that part of the proceeds went to the fire department which was false.
When I moved, I had problems. Technical and billing. Don't remember the details but it tooks days to straighten out. There were other various problems over the years (I was a loyal customer from 2008 until recently). The vibe I got the whole time is they want money and they don't care how they get it.
The final problem that made me decide to write bad reviews is that when recently I tried to cancel after moving again, they use that as one last opportunity to screw the customer. I saw another review that popped up first thing, dated this month, reporting the same experience. Here's how it went down:
I call and ask to cancel. After spending a few minutes pleading with them to believe me that I can't use a system at my new place, they instruct me to send an email with specific details. I ask when I can get a refund for the near-month I just got billed for, but won't be living in the home to use any longer. I'm told I have to call back in a few days after they process my email. Call 4 days later (instructed to call 3 days). They didn't get the email they claim. I definitely sent it, very exactly following instructions, and got nothing back saying it was wrong.
I send the email again after hearing a speech about how the rep believes the company is great and always is striving to help the customer. She promises to call me on a specific date when she will be back in the office to confirm everything is good. Of course, she lied and doesn't call. I wait an extra couple of days and call again. The gentleman is quite rude to me and repeatedly states that I can't get a refund no matter what anyone told me, because I signed a contract saying they could do that. I told him I would write bad reviews. He was entirely unconcerned and gave me a really sarcastic "HAVE A GREAT DAY SIR!".
I've had similar experiences with their reps in the past when trying to negotiate down my ridiculously expensive bill.
Don't use Vivint. They are out to steal your money. There are much better and cheaper options anyhow.